Page 23 of Wynns of Change
“This is so cool,” he whispered in awe. “You’re even prettier in person. Was it okay for me to say that? Because I don’t want to seem stalker-ish.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I don’t consider it to be stalker-ish.”
Arlen completed the transaction and handed her card and receipt to her. “Do you need a helmet or gloves? I should’ve asked you before I ran your card through.”
“No. At least not yet. I’ll be back if I change my mind.” Harlow tucked the receipt and card in the pocket of her bag before draping it over her shoulder and strolling out to her fancy new set of wheels.
Arlen hovered in the doorway, watching Harlow climb on.
“Now, don’t laugh if I crash.”
“I would never laugh. I…I would save you. I mean. I would help you,” he stuttered.
“Thank you, Arlen. Although I hope it won’t be necessary.” She gave him a friendly wave and took off. The handlebars wobbled for a brief second before Harlow regained control.
Picking up speed, she cruised to the end of the street. Her initial thought was to head directly to the fire department to track down Caleb, but it was such a beautiful day she opted for taking a leisurely spin around the island. At the stop sign, she turned right, pedaling in the opposite direction of downtown.
Friday morning meant the weekend tourists hadn’t yet arrived and bike traffic was fairly light. She rounded the bend. The bridge to home…the Mackinac Bridge sat off in the distance and her heart sang.
Harlow’s stress blew away with Lake Huron’s soft breeze. Despite her marriage crumbling, she had finished filming, at least for the most part. Robert had assured her the payment for her work was being processed. The couple had verbally agreed to the terms of their divorce.
An inkling of sadness flitted through Harlow, sad to think her marriage was ending. But Robert had treated her badly. He wanted nothing to do with helping his wife heal other than arranging for someone to care for her.
Vic, her friend and bodyguard, confirmed what Harlow had suspected. Robert was having an affair with Jillian, his personal assistant, a woman she had never cared for. Paying for her Malibu townhome was one of the final straws, that and after discovering her husband had hired a cameraman to spy on her.
Robert had given Harlow no choice but to end their marriage. She wasn’t sure how she felt, but any love between them was long gone. Looking back, it had been more of a business arrangement as opposed to a marriage for quite some time.
Robert handled the wheeling and dealing, finding new projects, negotiating the terms. Her role was to promote her work—whether it was modeling or acting—and fulfill the contracts.
The arrangement had worked well until it hadn’t. Harlow loved acting, loved modeling. It was a dream come true. But every dream job had a downside. Her career choice was filled with acquaintances, faux friends and questionable colleagues who wouldn’t hesitate to stab her in the back at the drop of a hat.
She didn’t miss the drama or artificial reality of Tinseltown. Harlow was home and thrilled to be there. She thought about her father’s health, feeling somewhat responsible. Surely the added stress of having to care for her affected him.
Stressing out over Wynn Harbor Inn’s renovation project only added more pressure, and Harlow made a mental note to figure out ways to help him.
Before she knew it, she had reached British Landing, Mackinac Island’s halfway point and the ideal spot to take a break.
Harlow pulled off and parked her bike. Checking for traffic, she crossed the street and made her way to the water’s edge. She kicked her shoes off and dipped her toes in the cold, crystal clear water.
Embracing the peace and tranquility, Harlow closed her eyes. No wailing sirens. No blaring horns or loud voices. All she heard was the gentle waves rolling onshore mingled with an occasional tinkle of laughter from a passing bicyclist.
Harlow wandered for several yards before backtracking and returning to her bike. Despite an occasional twinge, she was thrilled to find her legs weren’t at all bothered by the exertion of pedaling. She briefly wondered how her father and Brett weredoing, praying the enforcement officials would be sympathetic to her father’s plight and eliminate the fines.
Hopping back on, Harlow finished the last leg of her ride, passing by Arch Rock on her way into town. Mission Church, Michigan’s oldest surviving church and local landmark, sat at the bottom of the incline.
It was time to track down Caleb, to find out if he would be willing to help. Harlow could feel her armpits grow damp. The thought of meeting with her high school sweetheart, a man who had broken her heart, made her break out in a cold sweat. Even now, she remembered the day he told her he had joined the military. Caleb promised to return home, but in the same breath, made her promise not to wait around for him.
She thought about him often…more times than she cared to admit, since their awkward meeting, when she fell into his arms, literally, while trying to avoid him.
Robert had never made her feel the way Caleb had. She chalked it up to young love and sentimental memories.
But deep down, she knew she wasn’t fooling anyone. Despite the years having passed, the sight of her first love still made her heart pitter patter.
Stay cool,she reminded herself.Don’t let Caleb get under your skin.If Harlow had one thing going for her, it was that she knew how to act and hide her true feelings. Right now, she needed to give a performance worthy of an Oscar.
Chapter 11
Harlow slid her bike in between the metal bars. Straightening her shoulders, she stepped inside the fire station.
